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Hurricane Maria: Storm grows in force to category 5 as Caribbean battered again – live Hurricane Maria: Storm grows in force to category 5 as Caribbean battered again – live
(35 minutes later)
8.22pm BST
20:22
The billionaire businessman Richard Branson has warned that catastrophic weather events like hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey are “the start of things to come” due to climate change.
The airline operator who also owns a private island in the British Virgin Islands, which was hit by Irma and looks set to be impacted by Maria, told CNN: “Climate change is real. Ninety-nine percent of scientists know it’s real.”
He continued: “The whole world knows it’s real except for maybe one person in the White House.”
Asked if it was possible to link the recent spate of category 5 hurricanes to climate change, Branson said: “Look, you can never be 100% sure about links. But scientists have said the storms are going to get more and more and more intense and more and more often. We’ve had four storms within a month, all far greater than that have ever, ever, ever happened in history.”
You can see the full interview here.
8.03pm BST8.03pm BST
20:0320:03
The National Hurricane Center issued another update on Maria this past hour. The storm remains a category 5 hurricane. Its eye is still projected to pass “near or over” the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this evening and into Wednesday morning. Those regions should expect a storm surge of between six to nine feet, the center advises.The National Hurricane Center issued another update on Maria this past hour. The storm remains a category 5 hurricane. Its eye is still projected to pass “near or over” the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this evening and into Wednesday morning. Those regions should expect a storm surge of between six to nine feet, the center advises.
The hurricane warning for Guadeloupe has been reduced to a tropical storm warning and the tropical storm warning for Martinique has been withdrawn.The hurricane warning for Guadeloupe has been reduced to a tropical storm warning and the tropical storm warning for Martinique has been withdrawn.
7.08pm BST7.08pm BST
19:0819:08
One death reported in GuadeloupeOne death reported in Guadeloupe
Hurricane Maria has claimed the life of at least one person in the French island of Guadeloupe, marking the first fatality attributed to the storm.Hurricane Maria has claimed the life of at least one person in the French island of Guadeloupe, marking the first fatality attributed to the storm.
The Associated Press reports the individual was killed by a falling tree on Tuesday morning. The storm had hit the island overnight.The Associated Press reports the individual was killed by a falling tree on Tuesday morning. The storm had hit the island overnight.
Around 40 percent of the island is now without power, equivalent to 80,000 homes and flooding has been reported in several communities, mostly along the southern coast.Around 40 percent of the island is now without power, equivalent to 80,000 homes and flooding has been reported in several communities, mostly along the southern coast.
Officials say Les Saintes, Marie-Galant, Petit-Bourg and La Desirade have been the hardest hit. Roads are littered with fallen branches and trees but only limited infrastructure damage has been reported.Officials say Les Saintes, Marie-Galant, Petit-Bourg and La Desirade have been the hardest hit. Roads are littered with fallen branches and trees but only limited infrastructure damage has been reported.
Here’s some video from a local broadcaster that shows some of the destruction. It was filmed in the Le Gosier area in the island’s south. An unnamed woman says: “There’s nothing… I don’t have anything anymore.”Here’s some video from a local broadcaster that shows some of the destruction. It was filmed in the Le Gosier area in the island’s south. An unnamed woman says: “There’s nothing… I don’t have anything anymore.”
#MARIA - À Belle Plaine au Gosier, certains ont tout perdu... #vigilancecyclonique #mariaouragan #ouragan #Guadeloupe pic.twitter.com/AJJI7Jeasb#MARIA - À Belle Plaine au Gosier, certains ont tout perdu... #vigilancecyclonique #mariaouragan #ouragan #Guadeloupe pic.twitter.com/AJJI7Jeasb
6.50pm BST6.50pm BST
18:5018:50
The latest radar images published by the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service, shows Maria’s outer bands beginning to enter the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands and the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico.The latest radar images published by the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service, shows Maria’s outer bands beginning to enter the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands and the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico.
Latest radar imagery from Puerto Rico shows the outer rain bands from Hurricane #Maria starting to cross the U.S and British Virgin Islands pic.twitter.com/kXd2lwaiJhLatest radar imagery from Puerto Rico shows the outer rain bands from Hurricane #Maria starting to cross the U.S and British Virgin Islands pic.twitter.com/kXd2lwaiJh
6.41pm BST6.41pm BST
18:4118:41
Here’s some recent footage shot just by the coastline of old San Juan in Puerto Rico. The storm is not set to hit mainland Puerto Rico until Wednesday morning but outer bands of rain have already begun to hit.Here’s some recent footage shot just by the coastline of old San Juan in Puerto Rico. The storm is not set to hit mainland Puerto Rico until Wednesday morning but outer bands of rain have already begun to hit.
A view from inside the walls of Old San Juan. We're already getting some outer rain bands of #Maria pic.twitter.com/WR567PJzIgA view from inside the walls of Old San Juan. We're already getting some outer rain bands of #Maria pic.twitter.com/WR567PJzIg
6.30pm BST6.30pm BST
18:3018:30
Norbert Figueroa, a freelance reporter working for the Guardian in Puerto Rico, has just sent this dispatch from the northeastern municipality of Carolina.Norbert Figueroa, a freelance reporter working for the Guardian in Puerto Rico, has just sent this dispatch from the northeastern municipality of Carolina.
Norbert reports that long lines of Puerto Ricans have formed outside supermarkets and grocery stores around the island. People are queueing for basic supplies, including water and fuel. Rationing of some certain commodities has already begun as supermarkets run out of provisions.Norbert reports that long lines of Puerto Ricans have formed outside supermarkets and grocery stores around the island. People are queueing for basic supplies, including water and fuel. Rationing of some certain commodities has already begun as supermarkets run out of provisions.
Puerto Ricans are battening down to what officials are calling the most intense hurricane to make landfall in the inland since 1928.Puerto Ricans are battening down to what officials are calling the most intense hurricane to make landfall in the inland since 1928.
While people on the island are used to hurricanes, the uncertainty of facing such a powerful storm, the likes of which haven’t been felt in generations, is generating considerable fear.While people on the island are used to hurricanes, the uncertainty of facing such a powerful storm, the likes of which haven’t been felt in generations, is generating considerable fear.
“I just came from the supermarket, and even now, it is still packed with people buying last minute supplies to survive the storm. There are no more generators available, and some places have run out of water and batteries,” said Antero Rivera, a resident of Carolina.“I just came from the supermarket, and even now, it is still packed with people buying last minute supplies to survive the storm. There are no more generators available, and some places have run out of water and batteries,” said Antero Rivera, a resident of Carolina.
He isn’t alone in his last minute shopping. At grocery stores across the island, queues at the tills are long. People are filling their pantries with food and cars with fuel ahead or the storm.He isn’t alone in his last minute shopping. At grocery stores across the island, queues at the tills are long. People are filling their pantries with food and cars with fuel ahead or the storm.
Puerto Rico has imposed a rationing of basic supplies including water and baby formula. That regimen has even extended to materials such as wooden panels to protect doors and windows.Puerto Rico has imposed a rationing of basic supplies including water and baby formula. That regimen has even extended to materials such as wooden panels to protect doors and windows.
The weather is already deteriorating, with intense rainfall and light gusts hitting the islands of Culebra and Vieques. Tropical storm winds are expected to be felt starting late night on Tuesday, with landfall in the mainland around 8 am on Wednesday – lasting roughly 12 hours over the island.The weather is already deteriorating, with intense rainfall and light gusts hitting the islands of Culebra and Vieques. Tropical storm winds are expected to be felt starting late night on Tuesday, with landfall in the mainland around 8 am on Wednesday – lasting roughly 12 hours over the island.
Even though the eye is expected to pass through Puerto Rico on Wednesday, the government is advising people to expect up to 72 hours of rough weather and to prepare with over a week’s worth of water and food as local rescue brigades estimate it could take up to a week to reach residents in need, especially if they are located up in mountainous regions or more remote locations.Even though the eye is expected to pass through Puerto Rico on Wednesday, the government is advising people to expect up to 72 hours of rough weather and to prepare with over a week’s worth of water and food as local rescue brigades estimate it could take up to a week to reach residents in need, especially if they are located up in mountainous regions or more remote locations.
The most recent memory of such a strong hurricane dates back to 1989 when hurricane Hugo hit the mainland.The most recent memory of such a strong hurricane dates back to 1989 when hurricane Hugo hit the mainland.
But it isn’t just Hugo in their minds. While Hurricane Irma carved a trail of destruction two weeks ago that largely avoided Puerto Rico, its powerful effects aren’t lost on Puerto Ricans who have seen their neighbors decimated.But it isn’t just Hugo in their minds. While Hurricane Irma carved a trail of destruction two weeks ago that largely avoided Puerto Rico, its powerful effects aren’t lost on Puerto Ricans who have seen their neighbors decimated.
5.46pm BST5.46pm BST
17:4617:46
As St Kitts and Nevis braces for the impact of Maria, it is also marking the 34th anniversary of independence from Britain.As St Kitts and Nevis braces for the impact of Maria, it is also marking the 34th anniversary of independence from Britain.
The US secretary of state has just issued a statement to mark the occasion. Although Rex Tillerson mentions post-Irma reconstruction efforts, he does not mention the incoming Hurricane Maria.The US secretary of state has just issued a statement to mark the occasion. Although Rex Tillerson mentions post-Irma reconstruction efforts, he does not mention the incoming Hurricane Maria.
On behalf of the United States we offer our best wishes to the people of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis as you celebrate 34 years of independence.On behalf of the United States we offer our best wishes to the people of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis as you celebrate 34 years of independence.
The United States is proud to be a longstanding partner and friend to the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Our history of collaboration on citizen security, energy, and economic development has been beneficial for both of our nations.The United States is proud to be a longstanding partner and friend to the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Our history of collaboration on citizen security, energy, and economic development has been beneficial for both of our nations.
We wish your people a speedy recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, and look forward to strengthening our partnership in the years ahead.We wish your people a speedy recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, and look forward to strengthening our partnership in the years ahead.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.01pm BSTat 6.01pm BST
5.06pm BST5.06pm BST
17:0617:06
My colleague Oliver Milman has been speaking to St Kitts and Nevis’ high commissioner to the UK, Kevin Isaac. The high commissioner last spoke to colleagues on the islands this morning, UK time. He reports they have since lost contact and, like those on the British Virgin Islands, are preparing for the worst.My colleague Oliver Milman has been speaking to St Kitts and Nevis’ high commissioner to the UK, Kevin Isaac. The high commissioner last spoke to colleagues on the islands this morning, UK time. He reports they have since lost contact and, like those on the British Virgin Islands, are preparing for the worst.
He said:He said:
There were strong winds and heavy rains all night; no one was able to go out. The outer band of the storm was affecting St Kitts as early as last night.There were strong winds and heavy rains all night; no one was able to go out. The outer band of the storm was affecting St Kitts as early as last night.
I’ve already heard reports of the winds picking up but we’ve lost contact at the moment. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The storm was expected but this intensity wasn’t expected. There’s been this sudden and dramatic change.I’ve already heard reports of the winds picking up but we’ve lost contact at the moment. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The storm was expected but this intensity wasn’t expected. There’s been this sudden and dramatic change.
People have been advised to stay at home. It has been the same warnings as for Irma. I was more worried about Irma but this hurricane is really picking up in intensity.People have been advised to stay at home. It has been the same warnings as for Irma. I was more worried about Irma but this hurricane is really picking up in intensity.
Isaac linked Maria’s sudden intensity to climate change:Isaac linked Maria’s sudden intensity to climate change:
There is a natural inclination to ask ‘what is going on?’ Our fishing stock is migrating south because the water is getting warmer. And the scientists tell us that hurricanes pick up strength in warm waters. You may say it’s not climate change but there certainly has been a dramatic change.There is a natural inclination to ask ‘what is going on?’ Our fishing stock is migrating south because the water is getting warmer. And the scientists tell us that hurricanes pick up strength in warm waters. You may say it’s not climate change but there certainly has been a dramatic change.
When the eye of the storm sits over you, it can be the end.When the eye of the storm sits over you, it can be the end.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.18pm BSTat 5.18pm BST
4.38pm BST4.38pm BST
16:3816:38
The St Kitts and Nevis prime minister, Timothy Harris, has told residents to stay indoors until the storm passes. Hurricane Maria is expected to hit the twin islands this afternoon.The St Kitts and Nevis prime minister, Timothy Harris, has told residents to stay indoors until the storm passes. Hurricane Maria is expected to hit the twin islands this afternoon.
#Stkitts & #Nevis still under #hurricane warning. As Prime Minister I Invite all to stay indoors until the hurricane experts give all clear.#Stkitts & #Nevis still under #hurricane warning. As Prime Minister I Invite all to stay indoors until the hurricane experts give all clear.
Our prayers and thoughts are with #Dominica #HurricaneMaria did much damage.Our prayers and thoughts are with #Dominica #HurricaneMaria did much damage.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.02pm BSTat 5.02pm BST
4.12pm BST4.12pm BST
16:1216:12
Maria remains at category 5Maria remains at category 5
The US National Hurricane Center reports that Maria remains at category 5 with sustained winds of 160mph. In an update at 11am EST, it said hurricane-force gusts were extending for 35 miles from Maria’s center.The US National Hurricane Center reports that Maria remains at category 5 with sustained winds of 160mph. In an update at 11am EST, it said hurricane-force gusts were extending for 35 miles from Maria’s center.
“Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 or 5 hurricane until it moves near or over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,” it said.“Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 or 5 hurricane until it moves near or over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,” it said.
#BREAKING 11 a.m. update: #HurricaneMaria remains a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. pic.twitter.com/fbfr66pVx0#BREAKING 11 a.m. update: #HurricaneMaria remains a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. pic.twitter.com/fbfr66pVx0
Here are the Key Messages for #Maria advisory 14. Go to https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for details pic.twitter.com/ADvJBi9UpIHere are the Key Messages for #Maria advisory 14. Go to https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for details pic.twitter.com/ADvJBi9UpI
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.38pm BSTat 4.38pm BST
3.58pm BST
15:58
Benito Wheatley, the British Virgin Islands’ UK and EU representative, has told the Guardian the archipelago is “preparing for the worst” as Maria makes its way north. The islands were devastated by Hurricane Irma, which destroyed at least 80% of structures and left no schools or tourism businesses functioning.
Wheatley, who is in New York for the UN general assembly, last spoke to representatives on the islands on Monday night. He says they are preparing for the hurricane to hit this evening.
As you can imagine the communities in the BVI after Irma are very very vulnerable. Things had begun to stabilize on the ground, with the mobilization of UK military police and humanitarian workers. But now this has all ground to a halt as people move into emergency preparation for Hurricane Maria.
People are very concerned because the shelters that they have, many of them have been weakened, many of the homes don’t have roofs, a large number of persons were staying in a home that was intended for just a few people, so they’re squeezed in.
The debris that was caused by Hurricane Irma is still there. The greenery and the trees on the hills have been badly damaged by Irma, they were basically wiped out and therefore there’s nothing to really hold the soil together, so there’s a concern about mudslides.
We know it [Maria] is going to come very, very close. We are preparing for the worst that is what we have to do, given the very vulnerable state of the communities there. Even if it’s not a direct hit, you can imagine that just a storm of that size coming anywhere near the BVI in it’s current condition could be very damaging.
We are going to need as much support as we can get going forward.
Updated
at 4.13pm BST
3.02pm BST
15:02
Lines of communications with Dominica still appear to be down after Maria hit.
Chris Austin, head of the UK’s taskforce in the region, says the Caribbean regional agency for disaster has pre-stocked supplies on the island. In a video update he said the UK would be looking to help reinforce those supplies.
WATCH: Chris Austin, Head of UK Taskforce on Hurricanes #Irma & #Maria, updates on the current situation in the Caribbean & #UKaid response pic.twitter.com/EFoSbKLjPD
Updated
at 3.07pm BST
2.47pm BST
14:47
What we know so far
Hurricane Maria is heading across the Caribbean Sea as a category 5 storm towards Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after causing widespread damage on the island of Dominica.
Winds of up to 160mph (260km/h) and heavy rains lashed Dominica as the eye of the hurricane passed directly across it late on Monday. The prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit – who had to be rescued from his flooded home – said the island had “lost all that money can buy”. He added: “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”
There has been no official word from Dominica since Skerrit said there was widespread damage, with roofs swept from buildings. Reports said Princess Margaret hospital in Roseau, the capital, was battered and radio stations stopped broadcasting as the storm crashed over the island of 72,000 people.
The storm briefly dipped to a category 4 before regaining strength to a category 5. On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the north-eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday.
A curfew has been imposed on the British Virgin Islands where relief efforts from Hurricane Irma have been halted. The governor, Gus Jaspert, said debris left by Hurricane Irma was being cleared so that it did not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria. “Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” prime minister Orlando Smith warned
The Foreign Office is warning against travelling to the BVI, Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Puerto Rico is preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane to slam the island for almost a century. The governor, Ricardo Rosselló, urged islanders to find safe shelter. “All indications are that this is going to be devastating and catastrophic,” he told CNN.
Updated
at 2.58pm BST
1.55pm BST
13:55
Orlando Smith, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, has reminded islanders to stick to the curfew that has been in place since 6pm on Monday local time.
In an audio message on Monday he warned that debris from Hurricane Irma could become “dangerous projectiles” during Hurricane Maria.
“Our islands are extremely vulnerable right now,” Smith warned. He added: “I urge everyone to finalise their plans to be indoors for tonight’s curfew and remain there until an all-clear is given.”
Updated
at 2.21pm BST
1.43pm BST
13:43
The US National Hurricane Centre has given a video update on the “potentially catastrophic” Hurricane Maria as it approaches Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Island of Saint Croix.
“Everybody in those islands should have their preparations rushed to completion,” Mike Brennan, the NHC’s senior hurricane specialist, warns.
Watch on #Periscope: Live update from NHC on Hurricane Maria https://t.co/tPOIQ3J64I
Updated
at 2.29pm BST
1.06pm BST
13:06
There has been no more official word from Dominica since the prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, reported “widespread devastation” and fears of deaths from flooding and mudslides on Facebook earlier today.
A police official on the island, Insp Pellam Jno Baptiste, said late on Monday there were no immediate reports of casualties but it was too dangerous for officers to check conditions. “Where we are, we can’t move,” he said in a brief phone interview with Associated Press.
The first unverified images and video of purported damage to Dominica are starting to emerge.
Category 5 #HurricaneMaria damage in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/0lOUxoAEpv
#HurricaneMaria in #Dominica #hurricanemaria2017#PrayForDominica #DominicaStrong pic.twitter.com/72mZo9O4XG
Updated
at 1.32pm BST
12.21pm BST
12:21
Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has warned of a potentially “devastating and catastrophic” impact as Hurricane Maria heads towards the island.
Speaking to CNN he said:
We have 500 shelters. We have people moving to those shelters, and right now the priority is to make sure people are safe in Puerto Rico.
Complacency worries me the most. People might not understand the magnitude of this hurricane, or might think it won’t hit us as hard. All indications are that this is going to be devastating and catastrophic.
Although the brunt of the hurricane will pass on Wednesday, we are going to start receiving a lot of rain and a lot of flurries from Tuesday up until even Saturday. This is going to be a very dangerous time.
Infrastructure is going to be severely crippled. Our energy infrastructure is already weak, so we are going to suffer a major blow on that. Obviously some of the housing over here is inadequate, so anything that is not concrete you can expect that it is going to break or fall apart. Housing in the coastal lines is expected to have surges.
Our petition to all the viewers that have family members in Puerto Rico is to let them know it is critical for them to find safe shelter.
Updated
at 1.32pm BST
11.59am BST
11:59
What we know so far
Hurricane Maria is heading across the Caribbean Sea as a category 5 storm towards Montserrat, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico after causing widespread damage on the island of Dominica.
Winds of up to 160mph (260km/h) and heavy rains lashed Dominica as the eye of the hurricane passed directly across it late on Monday. The prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit – who had to be rescued from his flooded home – said the island had “lost all that money can buy”. He added: “My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.”
Skerrit said there was widespread damage, with roofs swept from buildings. Reports said Princess Margaret hospital in Roseau, the capital, was battered and radio stations stopped broadcasting as the storm crashed over the island of 72,000 people.
Maria has since skirted to the south of the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, heading towards Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis.
The storm briefly dipped to a category 4 before regaining strength to a category 5. On the forecast track, the eye of Maria will move over the north-eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, and approach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Wednesday.
A curfew has been imposed on the British Virgin Islands where relief efforts from Hurricane Irma have been halted. The governor, Gus Jaspert, said debris left by Hurricane Irma was being cleared so that it did not “turn into missiles flying at buildings” during Hurricane Maria.
The Foreign Office is warning against travelling to the BVI, Montserrat, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Puerto Rico is also preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane to slam the island for almost a century. On Monday, the public safety commissioner, Héctor Pesquera, told residents in homes not built to withstand such intense winds to move to shelters. “You have to evacuate otherwise you’re going to die. I don’t know how to make this any clearer,” he said.
Updated
at 12.22pm BST
11.43am BST
11:43
The French island of Martinique has escaped Hurricane Maria largely unscathed, Reuters reports.
A communications blackout with Guadeloupe meant it would be several more hours before damage there could be assessed, a senior French Civil Protection official said on Tuesday.
“In Martinique, reconnaissance operations are still under way but already we can see that there is no significant damage,” Jacques Witkowski, France’s head of civil protection and crisis response, told a news briefing in Paris.
He said the hurricane was less than 43.5 miles (70km) south of Guadeloupe.
“Right now we’re in a blackout zone, so it’s very, very hard to communicate with Guadeloupe,” Witkowski said.
Two people on Martinique suffered minor injuries, according to French media reports citing the civil protection ministry.
"Deux personnes très légèrement blessées en #Martinique", selon un bilan provisoire de la @SecCivileFrance Direct: https://t.co/hurj9SHwJM pic.twitter.com/OSEQBMvonU
Updated
at 3.16pm BST
11.32am BST
11:32
Hurricane Maria skirted Barbados to the north but it still produced heavy rain and winds, prompting flights to be cancelled and schools to be closed.
We got heavy rain and winds in Barbados. Flights got cancelled yesterday.
Updated
at 12.07pm BST